Ceiling connecting means for a partition wall



May 22, 1962 R. K. GRAFF 3,035,669

CEILING CONNECTING MEANS FOR A PARTITION WALL Filed May 12, 1960 2Sheets-Sheet l 711 UM M INVENTOR.

i E fqynouo K. G/PAFF i BY GL y 1962 R. K. GRAFF 3,035,669

' CEILING CONNECTING MEANS FOR A PARTITION WALL Filed May 12, 1960 2Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. fay/10170 K. G A/ F 4 FOR/Y6 7 nited StatesPatent Office 3,935,669 Patented May 22, 1952 3,035,669 CEILINGCONNECTING MEANS FOR A PARTITIGN WALL Raymond K. Graif, Yonkers, N.Y.,assignor to Aema Steel Products Corp., New York, N.Y., a corporation ofNew York Filed May 12, 1960, Ser. No. 28,673 10 Claims. (Cl. 189-34)This invention relates to a partition wall and, more particularly, tomeans for connecting the wall panels of the partition wall to a ceilingor a ceilingmember or runner.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide ceilingconnecting means for a partition wall which permits the wall panels ofthe partition to be connectedto the ceiling or ceiling member withoutthe necessity of drilling or screwing or otherwise defacing the ceilingor ceiling member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ceiling connecting meansfor a partition wall which permtis quick and easy installation of thepartition and the connection thereof to the ceiling or ceiling members.

A further object is to provide ceiling connecting means of the typeindicated which has provision for drawing adjacent ends of adjacentceiling channel members of the ceiling connecting means to each other.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill be fully understood from the following description considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings of the presentlypreferred embodiment of this invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of a partitionwall in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, taken on line 22 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, taken on line 3--3 ofFIG. 1;

FiG. 4 is a vertical side elevational view, partly in section,illustrating the relationship of the parts of the ceiling connectingmeans at adjacent ceiling channel members;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clip member in accordance with theinvention and illustrates the relationship of said member to a ceilingsupport member;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the ceiling connecting meansof the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vertical post member for awall panel.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and particularly to FIG. 1, thepartition wall 10 includes a plurality of wall panels 12, 14 and 16disposed in end-to-end relation and positioned below a longitudinallyextending ceiling member or runner 18 which, as herein illustrated, isconstituted by an inverted T-bar. As best seen in FIG. 2, the verticalleg 29 of the T-bar is secured to the ceiling or overhead by anysuitable means, indicated by reference numerel 22. The horizontal legsor flanges 24 of the T- bar are adapted to support ceiling tiles 26. Itwill be understood that T-bars 18 may extend lengthwise as well aswidthwise of the room or space in which it is desired to erect thepartition walls and more than one T-bar may be provided, as desired.

In accordance with the invention and as best illustrated in FIG. 6, aclip member 28 is provided which is adapted to releasably engage thehorizontal legs 24 of the ceiling member and which is disengageable fromsaid member by turning said clip member in its own plane.

More particularly, clip member 28 is an elongated member made preferablyfrom sheet material and comprises horizontally extending flanges 30 anda longitudinally extending recess 32 disposed between said flanges.Recess 32 is defined by vertically downwardly diverging sides 34 andhorizontally connecting part 36. Inturned gripping portions 38 areprovided-at opposite corners of the clip member and extend upwardly andinwardly of the side edges 40 of the member. It will be noted that theremaining corners of the clip member are not provided with grippingportions 38 and are free from any ohstructions.

To releasably secure clip member 28 to ceiling member 18, the clipmember is placed in transverse relation to the ceiling member with theupper surfaces of flanges 30 in abutting surface-to-surface contact withthe undersurfaces of horizontal legs 24 of the ceiling member, as shownin FIG. 6. Upon turning said clip member in its own plane in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 6, inturned gripping portions 38 of theclip member engage side edges 42 of the ceiling member 18 and in thismanner the clip member is releasably connected to the ceiling member andcan only be disengaged from said ceiling member by movement in its own.plane in a counterclockwise direction. It will be understood that aplurality of clip members 28 may be provided spaced longitudinally alongthe length of ceiling member 18 and the number of clip members willdepend upon the length of the ceiling member as well as the length ofthe wall panels of the partition. It will also be noted that the clipmembers are releasably secured to the ceiling member without thenecessity of any drilling or screwing or other defacement of the ceilingmember.

A plurality of ceiling channel members 44 are provided which aremountable on the spaced clip members 28 and extend longitudinally inabutting end-to-end relation lengthwise of the ceiling member 18. Moreparticularly, each channel member is a longitudinally extending memberhaving horizontal flanges 46 and a recess 48 disposed intermediately offlanges 46 and constituted by vertically downwardly diverging sides 50and horizontal connecting part 52. The angle of divergence of sides 50of the channel member is approximately the same as the angle ofdivergence of the sides 34 of the clip member and the distance betweenthe inner surfaces of sides 56 of the channel member is slightly lessthan the distance between the outer surfaces of sides 34 of the clipmember, so that the sides of the channel member may frictionally engagethe corresponding sides of the clip member, whereby the channel membermay be removably mounted on the clip member. The channel member is alsoprovided with vertically downwardl extending flanges '54.

After the clip members 28 are mounted on the T-bar ceiling member 18 atspaced intervals along the length thereof, the channel members 44 aremounted on the clip members by positioning the channel memberimmediately below the respective clip members and with a slight verticalmovement upwardly the inner surfaces of sides 50 of the channel memberfrictionally engage the outer surfaces of sides 34 of the clip memberwith part 36 of the clip member nested within recess 48 of the channelmember, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. In this manner the channel membersare removably mounted on the clip members and are supported by said clipmembers. It will be understood that the channel members may be of anyconvenient length and are mounted on the clip members so that theadjacent ends of adjacent channel members are in abutting relation. Itwill be also understood that one or more clip members may be used tosupport a channel member, as desired. A layer 56 of a suitable material,for example plastic foam, may be provided hetween the clip member 28 andthe channel member 44 to function as a light and sound barrier betweenthe ceiling member 13 andthe upper part of the partition wall.

To assure that adjacent ends of adjacent ceiling channel members are inabutting relation with each other, a clip member 28 is preferablyprovided at said adjacent ends of adjacent channel members, as bestillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. A threaded hole 58 is provided inwardly ofeach end of the clip member in part 36 thereof which defines the bottomof the recess 32 of the clip member. A clearance hole 60 is providedinwardly of each adjacent end of adjacent channel members in part 52 ofthe channel member which defines the bottom of recess 48 of the channelmember. The distance between holes 58 of the clip member is slightlyless than the distance between holes 60 of adjacent channel members sothat holes 58 are in overlapping relation with holes 60, respectively.Accordingly, when screws 62 are inserted through holes 60 and screwedinto holes 58, respectively, the adjacent I ends of the adjacent channelmembers are drawn together in abutting end-to-end relation. In thismanner a tight joint is provided between the adjacent ends of adjacentchannel members. It will be noted that the ends of screws 62 aredisposed in recess 32 of the clip member and do not come in contact withthe horizontal portion of ceiling member 18 so that the undersurface ofsaid member is not marred.

With the clip members. and the channel members connected to the ceilingmember 18, in the manner just de scribed, the wall panels of partitionwall may now be installed and connected to the ceiling channel members44. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, it is seen that each vertical edge 64of the wall panel is provided with a vertically extending post 66. Post66 includes a pair of outer sides 68, a pair of inner sides 70, a pairof transverse connecting parts 72 and transverse part 74, all inintegral relation with each other. Sides 68 are provided with inturnedportions 76, respectively. A pair of laterally spaced verticallyextending members 78 have sides 80 holding the sides 82, respectively,of the associated wall panel. Members 78 are provided with verticallyextending parts 84 which engage the inner surfaces of sides 70 of post66. A plurality of bolts 86 are spaced vertically along the length ofthe post 66 and each bolt has secured thereto a resilient disk-shapedmember 88 which engages transverse parts 90 of members 78. The posts 66are provided with vertically spaced holes 92 through which the bolts 86pass.

A U-shaped jack leg 94 straddles sides 70 of post 66 and has verticallyextending slots 96 in the transverse part 97 thereof through which bolts86 pass, thereby permitting vertical adjustable movement of the jackleg. Nuts 98 secure the jack leg in its adjusted position and resilientmembers 88 retain members 78 in position so that sides 86 thereof holdthe wall panels and maintain said wall panels in vertical position.Vertically extending snap-on members 100 are provided which enclose thespace between adjacent members 78 of adjacent wall panels. The snap-onmembers have inturned portions 102 which engage inturned portions 76 ofthe post 66. Suitable means, not shown, connect adjacent posts 66 andadjacent jack legs 94 to each other to prevent horizontal displacementof one wall panel with respect to the other.

The upper end of each jack leg 94 includes a cut-out portion 104 whichconforms in contour to the sides 50 and part 52 of the ceiling channelmember 44. Accordingly, to connect the jack leg 94 to the ceilingchannel member 44, nuts 98 are loosened and the jack leg is movedvertically until cut-out 104 straddles sides .59 and part 52 of theceiling channel member. In this position, edges 106 of the jack leg arecontained between the inner surfaces of flanges 54 of the channel memberand are in slidingrelation therewith. In this manner the jack leg isengaged by the ceiling channel member to eifect the connectionbetweenthe wall panels and the ceiling member 18.

A pair of snap-on members 108 is provided to cover the space between thetop 110 of the wall panel and the ceiling tiles 26. For this purpose thetop of the wall panels are provided with resilient fingers 112 whichengage cooperating parts 114 of the snap-on members 108 for retainingsaid members in place. 7 It will be understood that the wall panels maybe connected to the floor in any suitable manner.

While I have shown and described the preferred mode of practicing myinvention, it will be understood that various changesmay be made thereinand will occur to skilled artisans in view of the present disclosure.Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited to the invention as hereinspecifically stated or described, except to the extent which may berequired by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Ina partition wall construction including a plurality of wall panelsdisposed in end-to-end relation and positioned-below alongitudinallyextending ceiling runner; means for connecting said wall panels to saidceiling runner, comprising a plurality of clip members spaced along saidceiling runner, and releasably engaged therewith and disengageabletherefrom by turning said clip members in their own planes,respectively, a plurality of channel members extending in end-to-endrelation and being releasably secured to said clip members, andconnecting means between said channel members and said Wall panels.

2. In a partition Wall construction including a plurality of wall panelsdisposed in end-to-end relation and positioned below a longitudinallyextending ceiling runner; means-for connecting said wall panels to saidceiling runner, comprising a plurality of clip members spaced along saidceiling runner and releasably engaged therewith and disengageabletherefrom by turning said clip members in their own planes,respectively, a plurality of channel members extending in end-to-endrelation, said clip members and said channel members each havingreleasably engaging parts for releasably connecting said clip membersand said channel members to each other, and connecting means betweensaid channel members and said wall panels.

3. In a partition wall construction including a plurality of wall panelsdisposed in end-to-end relation and positioned below a longitudinallyextending ceiling runner; means for connecting said wall panels to saidceiling runner, comprising a plurality of clip members spaced alongsaid-ceiling runner and releasably engaged therewith and disengageabletherefrom by turning said clip members in their own planes,respectively, a plurality of channel members extending in end-to-endrelation, said clip members and said channel members each havingreleasably engaging parts for releasably connecting said clip membersand said channel members to each other, said channel members beingreleasable from said clip members by vertical downward movement of saidchannel members, and connecting means between said channel members andsaid wall panels.

4. In a partition wall construction including a plurality of wall panelsdisposed in end-to-end relation and positioned below a longitudinallyextending ceiling runner; means for connecting said wall panels to saidceiling runner, comprising a plurality of clip members spaced along saidceiling runner and releasably engaged therewith and disengageabletherefrom by turning said clip members in their own planes,respectively, a plurality of channel members extending in end-to-endrelation, said clip members and said channel members each havingreleasably engaging parts for releasably connecting said clip membersand said channel members to each other, each of said releasably engagingparts of said clip members and said channel members comprisingdownwardly diverging laterally spaced parts, said downwardly divergingparts of said clip members being nested in the downwardly divergingparts of said channel members in frictic al engagement there= l1 andreleasable therefrom by downward movement of said channel members, andconnectmg means between said channel members and said wall panels.

5. In a partition wall construction comprising a ceiling 'unner havinglongitudinally extending horizontal flanges and means intermediate saidand extending upwardly therefrom for securing said runner to theceiling, said partition wall also comprising a plurality of wall panelsmounted in end-mend wall-defining relation; means for releasabiysecuring said panels to said ceiling runner comprising a longitudinallyextending channel member disposed below said flanges of the ceilingrunner, a plurality of horizontally spaced clips releasably engagingsaid ceiling runner and said channel member and connecting them to eachother, and means secured to and extending upwardly beyond said wallpanels and connected to said channel member.

6. In a partition wall construction comprising a ceiling runner havinglongitudinally extending horizontal flanges and intermediate saidflanges and extending upwardly tmrefrorn for securing said runner to theceiling, said partition wall also comprising a plurality of wall panelsmounted end-to-end wall-defining relation; means for releasably securingsaid panels to said ceiling runner comprising a longitudinally extendingchannel member di nosed below said flanges of the ceiling runner, aplura y of horfontally spaced clips releasably engaging said ceilingrunner and said channel member and connecting them to each other, saidclip members being disengagefrom said ceiling runner by turning saidclip memers in their own planes, respectively, and means secured to andextending upwardly beyond said wall panels and connected to said channelmember.

7. In a partition wall construction comprising a ceiling runner havinglongitudinally ext nding horizontal flanges and means intermediate saidflanges and extending upwardly therefrom for securing said runner to theceiling, said partition wall also comprising a plurality of wall panelsmounted in end-to-end wall-defining relation; means for releasablysecuring said panels to said ceiling runner comprising a longitudinallyextending channel member disposed below said flanges of the ceilingrunner, a plurality of horizontally spaced clips releasably engagingsaid ceiling runner and said channel member and connecting them to eachother, and said clip members and said channel member each being providedwith cooperating connecting parts reieasably engaged with each other forconnecting said channel member to said clip members, and means securedto and extending up'v'ardly beyond said wall panels and connected tosaid channel member.

8. In a partition wall construction comprising a ceiling runner havinglongitudinally extending horizontal flanges and means intermediate saidflanges and extending upwardly therefrom for securing said runner to theceiling, said partition wall also comprising a plurality of wall panelsmounted in end-to-end wall-defining relation; means for releasablysecuring said panels to said ceiling runner comprising a longitudinallyextending channel member disposed below said flanges of the ceilingrunner, a plurality of horizontally spaced clips releasably engagingsaid ceiling runner and said channel member and connecting them to eachother, said clip members and said channel member each being providedwith cooperating connecting parts releasabiy engaged with each other forconnecting said channel member to said clip members, each of saidcooperating connecting parts comprising downwardly diverging laterallyspaced parts, said downwardly diverging parts of said clip members beingnested in the downwardly diverging parts oi said channel member infrictional engagement tberewttn and releasable therefrom by downwardmovement of said channel memher, and means secured to and extendingupwardly beyond said Wall panels and connected to said channel member.

9. In a partition wall construction comprising a ceiling runner havinglongitudinally extending horizontal flanges and means intermediate saidflanges and extending upwardly therefrom for securing said runner to theceiling, said partition wall also comprising a plurality of wall panelsmounted in end-to-end wall-defining relation; means for releasablysecuring said panels to said ceiling runner comprising a longitudinallyextending inverted channel member disposed below said flanges of theceiling runner, a plurality of horizontally spaced clips releasablyengaging said ceiling runner and said channel member and connecting themto each other, and means secured to and extending upwardly beyond saidwall panels and connected to said channel member, said inverted channelmember having laterally spaced downwardly extending flanges, saidupwardly extending means having a member disposed within said flanges ofsaid channel member and in sliding relation therewith.

10. In a partition wall construction comprising a ceiling runner havinglongitudinally extending horizontal flanges and means intermediate saidflanges and extendig upwardly therefrom for securing said runner to theceiling, said partition wall also comprising a plurality of wall panelsmounted in end-to-end wall-defining relation; means for releasablysecuring said panels to said ceiling runner comprising a longitudinallyextending inverted channel member disposed below said flanges of theceiling runner, a plurality of horizontally spaced clips releasablyengaging said ceiling runner and said channel member and connecting themto each other, said clip members and said channel member each beingprovided with cooperating connecting parts releasably engaged with eachother for connecting said channel member to said clip members, each ofsaid cooperating connecting parts comprising downwardly diverginglaterally spaced parts, said downwardly diverging parts of said clipmembers being nested in the downwardly diverging parts of said channelmember in frictional engagement therewith and releasable therefrom bydownward movement of said channel member, and means secured to andextending upwardly beyond said wall panels and connected to said channelmember, said inverted channel member having laterally spaced downwardlyextending flanges, said upwardly ex tending means having a memberdisposed within said flanges of said channel member and in slidingrelation therewith, said member of said upwadly extending means having acut-out portion in straddling relation with said downwardly divergingparts of said channel member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES iATENTS

